Geeks logo

Werewolf

Ch-18

By Katie HammerbeckPublished 3 years ago 10 min read
Like

Chapter 18

Randolf was too tired to transform into his werewolf form, so he scooped Klara up in his arms and carried her home. She was silent the whole way back, her heart breaking all the more with each step. By the time they were at the house and got ready for bed the sun had set and the cool night air started to howl against the walls. Klara shivered heavily and wrapped her shawl tighter around her. She wore her socks and woolen night dress but the shivers didn’t cease. Randolf plunked two more logs of wood on the fire and then sat beside her, drawing her near.

“I’m sorry you saw that.” He whispered, taking her hand. It was so small and she was shaking like a baby bird. “Oh darling, please calm down.” Randolf pleaded.

“How?” Klara asked. “That girl…I could have been her. I came to the forest, desperate for freedom…when I could have…” Randolf turned her towards him and held her. She was nearly hysterical and he knew he had to do something.

“Don’t think like that Klara. I would never have allowed you to be killed.”

“You didn’t know me then.” Klara replied harshly. “What reason would they have to spare me if they won’t spare the girl?” Randolf’s temper boiled and he grabbed her shoulders in a rough grip. Klara fought him but he didn’t budge.

“It’s not the same Klara. She’s only a human.”

“You didn’t always know I was a Wiccan.” Klara shot back. “Until Gerone told you, you had no inkling that I wasn’t human. You can’t be so simple minded about taking a life!”

“Simple minded?! Would you rather this whole Forest be slaughtered by humans?!” Klara got up slowly, wanting to get some air but Randolf stood in her way. “Answer me woman!”

“I won’t answer any mongrel who talks to me like that.” Klara said hotly, looking up at him through her hair. He grabbed her and lifted her so that her feet were barely touching the ground then pinned her against the wall. Randolf’s canines were sharp as he shook her and yelled,

“You will not disrespect me Klara, do you understand me?!” Klara feared for her life but couldn’t scream. The look in his eyes was pure anger and she knew she was feeble to his strength. “If I tell you to forget about the girl then you will do so!”

While the couple argued, a deer spirit had slipped under their door to deliver an urgent message. Seeing how Randolf was treating the Wiccan, the deer spirit snorted and butted into Randolf’s side, ramming his horns into the wolf’s ribs. Randolf grunted and dropped Klara, clutching his side in agony as the deer stood at Klara’s side protectively. Randolf realized he’d snapped and moved to apologize but Klara she backed as far away as she could, clutching her chest as her heart raced erratically.

“Klara I….” he looked at his hands then at her, disbelief in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…” He took a step forward but stopped when Klara flinched back and the deer lowered its head again in warning. “I’m not going to hurt you, sweetheart.”

When she didn’t move, he took several steps back, offering her space. The deer straightened up and delivered the message the fox cicerone had given him. Randolf looked grave and Klara paled heavily. Carina had been captured by a witch in a brown dress, similar in description to the female prisoner.

“Thank you, my friend.” Randolf said gruffly. “You may go.” The deer looked at Klara who nodded and it vanished out the door.

Still wary of Randolf, Klara sat on the bed tentatively, never taking her eyes off him. For most of the evening he gave her space, trying to earn back her trust somehow. He hunted a few rabbits, made dinner, and allowed her to serve herself.

When it got late, Klara curled up on the bed and he transformed, curling up by the fire. He didn’t deserve to sleep next to her. Somewhere in the middle of the night, he was startled awake when she suddenly lay next to him, resting her head on his back.

‘Klara, what is it?’ he asked. She shook her head but didn’t say anything. ‘Please tell me what’s wrong.’

“Do you still care for me?” Klara whimpered, her voice muffled. Returning to his human form, he sat up and cupped her face in his hands.

“Of course I do, Klara.” Randolf replied instantly. “Why would you ask that?”

“Gertrude…she pretended to care for me and I endured so much pain...” Pausing she then added, “I feared…that I was wrong about us.” Randolf felt his very soul darken. The pain from her aunt was still there, and she was comparing it to how he’d hurt her.

“Never think that, darling,” he begged. “I never wish to hurt you and I’m sorry you were so frightened. It won’t ever happen again.” Klara sobbed. He felt her fear and sorrow and wanted to take it away. He wanted to make her happy. “Can you forgive me, mein Täubchen?”

Her sobs slowly quieted and she sunk into his protective, warm embrace. He felt her relief as she realized he was telling the truth and that he would never harm her again. Randolf kissed her hair, massaged her back as she curled up against him.

“Yes...” her gentle voice finally answered. The wolf sighed in relief then carried her back to bed. When he moved to lay down on the floor again, Klara grabbed his hand, pulling him back. Though she didn’t say anything, Randolf knew she wanted him to stay beside her. He smiled, glad that she had truly forgiven him. As they lay in bed, her tucked tenderly against him with her head on his chest, Randolf vowed he would keep her safe and never allow his temper to erupt again.

The next day, Randolf rose early to go on a search for Carina before meeting up with the Council. Klara didn’t want to go on either, afraid she wouldn’t be welcome and possibly hinder the search.

“I have to go join the search party. Will you be alright Klara?” he asked. She nodded mutely. Randolf hated to see her like this, and having to leave her alone. He sat on the bed beside her as she mended a dress. Her face was pale but she tried to smile for him.

“I’ll be fine.” Klara replied. He clasped her hand in both of his.

“Are you sure you won’t change your mind and come with me?”

“You know the Council doesn’t want me there. I don’t want to be the reason Carina isn’t found.” As much as he wanted to argue with her statement, the wolf knew there wasn’t time and after last night it was best to let it drop. As much as he hated leaving her on her own, Randolf felt it would be good for her to have a moment’s peace in their home.

Randolf reached up and pulled her into a gentle kiss. “Alright... Keep the door locked until I return, alright?” Klara nodded again. “I’ll be back soon.” When he left, Klara felt completely alone. The day dragged on slowly and Randolf didn’t return. She tried to keep herself busy with cleaning and tending to the fire.

After what seemed like an eternity, a knock came at the door. Klara jumped up, grabbed her knife and waited. The knocking came again.

“Klara, Klara it’s me!” A familiar male voice called. Her heart pounded in her chest. “Open the door, child!”

“Gerone?” Klara didn’t hesitate and opened the door. A dark, sinister voice shouted,

“Initium!” and a blast of dark magic enveloped her. It wrapped around her heart and squeezed like a fist. Klara cried out in pain before her world went black.

Ch-19

“When will this be over with?” Randolf demanded, leaning back in his chair with an annoyed sigh. He wanted to return home and comfort Klara. He hated to leave her, especially in such a distraught state.

“We can’t leave until the Prince excuses us.” The female white leopard beside him said lazily as she sharpened her claws. “So relax...”

The meeting was supposed to be over an hour ago, but for some reason the Prince hadn’t arrived. He hadn’t even shown up for the search party for Carina, which resulted in nothing. The description of the older woman from the deer spirit was no help. It was as if the princess had completely vanished. Randolf’s instincts told him something was wrong, but he wasn’t about to say anything. Gerrick sat a seat away from him and the tension the younger wolf had could be felt throughout the room.

Gerrick stood and said, “Well, seems like Claus is a no show... So I shall take my leave.” Randolf stiffened when he walked past, anger surging through him. Gerrick paused then said, “Oh Randolf, I was curious... where is my darling Klara, hmm? I was hoping to see her...”

Randolf launched to his feet, snarling heavily. “She’s safe from the likes of you! You would never touch her again!”

“Is that so..?” Gerrick cackled. Randolf clenched his fists, almost ready to compromise the truce of the Council. Everyone stood, worried about what was going to happen. Gerrick shrugged and turned away however. “Well, I’m sure you took every precaution...” At the stair landing he paused, looked over his shoulder, a glint in his golden eyes as the room started to shake and said, “But it wasn’t enough!”

He stepped back and rocks collapsed all around the entrance to the stairs, completely blocking it. Everyone ducked out of the way, coughing from the dust and debris that filled the air. Randolf’s heart stopped dead.

He threw himself at the rock pile, yelling loudly in panic as he threw huge boulders out of the way. The Council members tried to stop him, telling him he needed to be careful but he refused to listen.

“He’s going after Klara!” he growled. “I have to get back to her!” The dwarf grabbed his arm and threw him back out of the way.

“Out of the way, wolf! You’re too slow!” he roared. Raising his large axe about his head he swung as hard as he could. Bright light exploded and a new tunnel was formed with the sealed rocks. Randolf bolted through.

“Please be safe,” he begged over and over as he transformed and dashed through the forest. ‘Klara, can you hear me?!’ he called in his mind. He’d trained her how to use her magic to communicate with telepathy. But there was no answer. As he leapt over a fallen tree, his foot landed in an enlarged bear trap, the silver tipped iron nearly cutting clean through. He yelled, crumpling to the ground in agony.

“I had hoped this was going to be more interesting…” a female voice sighed in annoyance.

Randolf looked up and saw the human girl walk forward. But something was different, there was a dark aura around her this time. “But you’re still a pathetic love sick pup...”

“Gertrude.” Randolf snarled, wanting to rip her throat out. The witch cackled and waved away her disguise.

“Didn’t even pause to realize it was a trap, only thinking that your precious Klara was in danger.” She walked toward him and clicked her tongue. “Like I said, I had hoped for something more interesting.”

“What have you done with her?” Randolf demanded, trying to wrench free of the bear trap. Gertrude chuckled.

“Come here, my dear.” She called over her shoulder. An even darker presence sprung forth, making Randolf’s very blood turn ice cold. Silence overcame the Forest and a shadowy figure emerged. At first he thought it would be Gerrick, but horror struck his heart when he realized it was a female figure. Her dress was tattered and dirty from a struggle, her hair loose and falling around her face. The amulet she treasured pulsed a strong evil aura similar to Gertrudes. Her head was bowed but he knew it was her.

“Klara…” he cried.

comics
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.